Just call me a book worm as I have my face stuck in yet another book. I’m currently reading an autobiography by Jann Arden, the Canadian musician from right here, good ole Calgary. According to her book, “Falling Backwards”, she still lives here too.

Anyway, I’m only in the 2nd chapter but it already has my brain spinning. The theme through the book is the reflection of Jann Arden’s life, her experiences, lessons she’s learned and how she got to where she is today. This made me ponder my own life, and how did I get where I am today and the lessons on the way.

When I look in the mirror, I don’t see a woman who’s in her mid-thirties. Nor do I long for my teen years or my twenties. I do know that I look at the world around me differently then I did in my twenties. And I’m positive that when I was in my twenties, I felt different about life, about what I thought I knew, about me; differently then I did when I was in my teens.

I had a very happy childhood. It was full of bike riding around the neighborhood, swimming in the backyard pool, playing on the monkey bars and hanging out with my friends. I watched The Friendly Giant, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and of course Sesame Street. Those were the days when Sesame Street was actually good, full of innocence and no one had heard of political correctness. I was too young to understand M.A.S.H., but I remember the TV being on when the final show aired.

My parents loved my brother and I and made sure we traveled, went to the dentist for our yearly check-up and made sure there was fresh fruit and vegetables to eat and milk to drink. I was also a bit of a chatter box, sometimes more focused on socializing and making friends then paying attention in math class. I saw Star Wars, Episode 4 at the drive-in as well as ET: The Extra Terrestrial. As I got older, I watched The Cosby Show, Family Ties and Rosanne.

There are things that really stand out for me from my youth:

My dad making breakfast before school. This consisted of bowls of 2 or more kinds of cereal (he wasn’t going to waste the dried out crusty bits at the bottom of the cereal box. Yuck) No wonder why I have a love/hate relationship with cereal.

A weekend of summer vacation where my brother and I dug up the backyard and made a “town” for all his toy cars.

Receiving two giant colouring books at Christmas with a fresh pack of crayons. My dog Buttons.

Having tea biscuits at my grandparents house.

School yard bullies, but not to the extent that they are now. The classmate who’s tooth I knocked out (well he irritated me! And no I was not one of the school yard bullies. He just needed to be reminded who he was dealing with.)

Flying to England by myself when I was 14.

And to this day, whenever I smell overripe banana, it reminds me of when I was in grade four and someone forgot a banana in the coatroom which stunk up classroom.

My teens years past with little angst in the great scheme of things. This was around the time where home computers were becoming the norm and I felt deprived because we didn’t have one. I did have my own phone and phone line in my bedroom. Now that was cool. My phone got so busy that my friends called my parents line and ask them to kick me off my phone so they could reach me.

The grunge movement began and flannel and Doc Martens were everywhere. I listened to INXS, Smashing Pumpkins, a few news bands such as Nirvana and Green Day. And of course U2 in a huge way. I saw Titanic (only once) Schindler’s List (again only once) and The Godfather Part 3 which has since become one of my favorite movies. I received my drivers license at 16, and a car at 17. Both Spring break in New York City and moved out on my own at 18. Experienced my first U2 concert when I was 19.

My twenties saw me travel across the country for both school and work. I lived in Ottawa. I lived in the mountains. Daily drives into Banff. I met my future husband. Another car and my first move into Calgary. I got married, received a Baker’s Red Seal, bought a condo, yet another car (or three), got a cat. I traveled to Quebec City, Montreal, Vancouver, New Orleans (way before Hurricane Katrina) and to Las Vegas. I remember someone once saying to me that it was like I was trying to live my life in a week. And I remember exactly where I was when I heard about the planes that crashed into the World Trade Centre.

Thus far, I have kept myself busy in my thirties. I’ve traveled to Cuba and enjoyed my 1st swim up bar as well as para-sailing and snorkeling. I have opened and closed a business. I have learned to appreciate expensive spiced rum and a well made martini.

Joined a wine club where I came to understand why I like white, sweeter wines over dry, red ones. I started taking courses to gain a Certificate in Adult Education. Started a blog (thank-you for reading) I have taught high school culinary arts in my old high school with a past chef instructor. I also taught Post Secondary pastry arts which helped led me to my current job as a Pastry and Baking instructor at SAIT. Colin and I moved back to Calgary.

I do have fears and worries. I’m very worried about the state of our environment and what the hell is going on with our weather anyway? I get incredibly upset when I hear or see any suffering to animals. I know it exists but it brings me to tears just thinking about it.

I worry that there will be a point in our future where fresh water will become more valuable then gas and oil and they will have to ration it. I worry that the price of a home will make owning a home unattainable.

If you knew me, you would say that I’m a pretty even keeled person. I am loyal and trustworthy, compassionate and highly independent with a side of dry, and sarcastic sense of humour. A bit neurotic with worrying, but I try to not take myself too seriously. Been known to tell myself to stop psychoanalyzing things and to lighten up.

I don’t believe in cliques, vanity or petty dramas and I distance myself from those that do. I enjoy socializing but I’m also quite content with my own company. It doesn’t faze me in the slightest to go to the movies by myself or to eat alone in a restaurant.

I love to read, love the PVR, my electric blanket and I’ll never pass up a cup of coffee. I’m in a happy, healthy and solid marriage with a wonderful man who makes me laugh and I know would do anything for me.

Growing into adulthood is a process and at times not easy. I think it’s important as we hurtle into our future that we take the time to review and reflect on the past. I think if people would just give themselves time to feel things, to deal with issues, they would be much better off.

I have made many mistakes in my past and I have angered and disappointed people. As sorry as I am that has happened, I don’t look back with any regrets. I like to think that I have done some things right or else I wouldn’t have got to where I am today.

Life is a journey, full of wonder, amusement, paying bills, doing laundry and adventure. Here’s to the next adventure!